A PBS Great American Read Top 100 Pick With extraordinary relevance and renewed popularity, George Orwell’s 1984 takes on new life in this edition. “Orwell saw, to his credit, that the act of falsifying reality is only secondarily a way of changing perceptions. It is, above all, a way of asserting power.”—The New Yorker In 1984, London is a grim city in the totalitarian state of Oceania where … city in the totalitarian state of Oceania where Big Brother is always watching you and the Thought Police can practically read your mind. Winston Smith is a man in grave danger for the simple reason that his memory still functions. Drawn into a forbidden love affair, Winston finds the courage to join a secret revolutionary organization called The Brotherhood, dedicated to the destruction of the Party. Together with his beloved Julia, he hazards his life in a deadly match against the powers that be.
Lionel Trilling said of Orwell’s masterpiece, “1984 is a profound, terrifying, and wholly fascinating book. It is a fantasy of the political future, and like any such fantasy, serves its author as a magnifying device for an examination of the present.” Though the year 1984 now exists in the past, Orwell’s novel remains an urgent call for the individual willing to speak truth to power.
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1984 started out as a dystopian fiction book but later evolved into a philosophical analysis of fear, society, and reality. This book is not for children but would be great for junior high through adulthood.
Really a little too real now after reading it in the 70s. Never thought we could be like the book.
I first read this book at age sixteen. It scared me silly with its simple, terrifying imagery. And since then I’ve probably read it an additional 15-20 times, with each trip through the pages only increasing the sense of impending doom I STILL carry. Honestly–it frightens me more now than ever before!!
If you’ve never read it before I highly …
This is a classic. If you have not read it, what the heck is wrong with you?
Must read
We have come past 1984, but, the thoughts that went into creating the future world and politics (from the time it was written 1984 was in the future) are still scary.
Look at the world around — the heroes are in Hong Kong and on the streets of Iran and the victims are in the Chinese “Re-education centers or dead on the streets of Iran. What else do you need to know.
A seminal story of mind control and manipulation by government. Extremely poignant in this time of dishonesty and disinformation from the President of the United States, Russia and China.
This is a cautionary tale for our times. So many allusions to this book exist in daily life right now. It is a terrifying must-read, especially since our current society is an echo of the society Orwell depicts in the book.
Everyone should read this, really makes one think about what can happen if we let society take responsibility for actions that we as individuals should
I didn’t think when first reading 1984, I would have to live it due to the Trump administration. “Alternative facts.” Orwell was prescient.
George Orwell is my favorite author with his flowing language and anti-totalitarian views. His characters are like real people, and he doesn’t shun away from a tragic ending. The worldbuilding is awesome! We don’t talk about “Orwellian” for no reason.
Orwell’s writing is of the highest standard and 1984 is the crown jewel of his career.
Prophetic.
1984 is probably the most brilliant Science Fiction work ever composed. It is more terrifying now as the horrible future of mass surveillance and shadowy Party dictatorships is beginning to happen before our eyes. Xi Jinping’s China bears a remarkable resemblance to Orwell’s Oceania. Science Fiction is becoming Science Fact. Orwell’s description …
A look into the future of what this country is becoming.
You have to have a stomach for dystopia to like this book. I gave it three stars simply because it is well written and an iconic book. I would never read it again, largely because dystopia is of no interest to me.
It is inspirational to reread 1984 by Orwell, and then read new book FOSSILS 2084.
one of those must reads(fer everyone), educational, observational. firstly, if you like the observation/logical progression recipe, you’ll be moved by the feasibility, n parallels to current reality(yep, it’s still relevant)
My absolute favorite book of all time.
The world building in this book is unparalleled by anything I’ve come across since. You know you’ve done something right when your name becomes a way to describe a dystopian society. (Orwellian) Perfection.
My only gripe is the political lesson found in the book possessed by O’Brien. When I reread this …
A really interesting read which although written years ago I saw still very relevant today. Make sure you stop and think about the closeness of this book to our current reality.